Are the Mavericks/ Magic for real?

[Matthew]

Well I know its real eary in the reason, and maybe too early to be asking this question, but I will anyway: Can the Mavericks and Magic maintain their early season form and continue winning without a powerful inside presence?

The Mavericks are scoring with ease at the moment, but can they play defense? And do they have enough inside game to remain effective? I can see them winning in between 55 and 60 games in the regular season, and possibly a trip to the conference finals, depending on whether they match up with the Lakers in the semi's. I don't really think they can beat LA with Raef Lafrentz at centre.

As for the Magic, they are similar to Dallas in some ways. They have probably the best one-two combination in the NBA right now in Grant Hill and T-Mac. But they are really weak inside, and the are inconsistant at the point gaurd position. The Magic need to trade Mike Miller for someone like Stromile Swift before the deadline to be true NBA contendors. They will challange for the East with their current lineup, but if they were to face Sacramento, L.A. or San Antonio, they would be demolished inside.

[Andrew]

I think the Mavs are still banking on the gameplan of luring Shaq out of the paint using LaFrentz, opening up the lane for Finley and Nowitzki. In theory, that's not a bad plan, since LaFrentz has too much range to be left open on the perimeter, and the Mavericks have guys who can finish inside. So long as the Mavericks score more than the Lakers, they will win the game.

Unfortunately, the problems come on the other end, where their defense will allow the Lakers to answer probably every basket the Mavericks make. They're kind of like the 1980s Denver Nuggets - high octane offense, average defense, games won by just plain outscoring the opponents, rather than stopping their opponents' attack. That's effective, as long as their shots are falling.

I think the Magic will fare much better this year, pending Grant Hill remaining injury free. After that 10 minute, 2 point game, I thought perhaps his injury woes had resurfaced, but it seems that was just a small blip, and Hill has been playing well the last couple of games. I think if they could get some good minutes out of Shawn Kemp - he's had a couple of decent games when he's played, both in the pre-season and since the start of the regular season - they'll be able to matchup with most West teams.

I don't know about trading Miller though. Apart from Hill and T-Mac, he probably has the most trade value of anyone on the team, but if something happens to Hill, Miller would be counted on to step into the starter's role. Of course if Miller were traded T-Mac could play SF, but then there's no one to fill in at SG. Perhaps pursuing Keon Clark a little more in the offseason would have been a wise move.

[Matthew]

Well I'm not exactly sure how effective that will be. Say Shaq comes back healthy, and Dallas relies on 5 guys on the perimeter, do you think the Lakers won't be able to stop that? L.A is very good defensivly, and even with Shaq out on Raef Lafrentz, Dallas won't be able to score at will. Kobe would be on Finely, Horry(or Fox, pending on where Nowitzki starts) on Dirk and Fisher on Nash. Now I'm not saying that the Mavericks would be shut down completely, but I doubt they will be able to outscore the Lakers when they have such suspect defense, and the Lakers can play both ends of the floor, really well.

About the Magic, they need to decide whether they want to be just a Eastern conference contendor, or a NBA championship contendor. Right now, they are just pretendors untill they get that extra piece to the puzzle. They won't win the championship with their current inside game, becuase it's virtually non existant. Mike Miller, as good as he is as insurance for Grant Hill, is just that, insurance. He isn't that good off the bench. I think a trade to Memphis would help both teams, but would elevate the Magic into the true elite of the NBA.

[Andrew]

Well, Jerry West will probably be interested in making some deals since the Grizz haven't exactly had an impressive start to the season. With Dickerson out, they might be interested in another shooter, but Stro leaves the Grizz short of a good young PF/C. If they could replace Williams with a more fundamentally sound PG, they'd have good lineup with Stro, Gasol, Gooden and Battier.

I too question the effectiveness of the Mavs' gameplan. It might work in spurts, but the Lakers are, as you said, good enough to compensate and adjust accordingly.

[Matthew]

Well the Grizz have Gasol, Lorenzen Wright, drew Gooden who all can clog up the middle, so a trade for a quality swingman like Mike Miller would be a step in the right direction for both clubs, and I think it would be the move that would give Orlando enough balance of scoring players on the perimeter and defense and rebounding for the inside to take them into the NBA's Elite.

[Andrew]

The Grizz have Battier though. Would it be worth dealing for a swingman who is ineffective off the bench?

[Matthew]

Well I wouldn't have him off the bench, I'd have a starting line up of:
L. Wright (Centre)
P. Gasol (Power Forward)
M. Miller (Small Forward)
M. Dickerson (Shooting Guard)
J. Williams (Point Guard

Now with Dickerson hurt, I would have Battier inserted in there to replace. Once Mike D returns, Battier (who can play 3 positions) would come of the bench and play around 22-25 minutes a ball game. It might be a bit of a log jam, but this way Drew Gooden gets more minutes and I think Mike Miller and Gasol would be a effective one-two punch (and they are both the previous R.O.Y's).

[Andrew]

Well, that's all well and good for the Grizz, but what about the Magic? They would get a good young big man in Stro, but what about a swingman to backup T-Mac and Hill?

[Matthew]

The Magic need an inside presence. Right now Stro doesn't have a legit post up game, but he is quick, has long arms and is fairly strong. So with that said, he would be a good defensive player who can rebound... Similar to Kenyon Martin, just without the jumpshot. And they may lose a backup player, but I think it's what needs to be done for the Magic if they are serious about making a championship run.

[Andrew]

Would you have Stro starting at C or coming off the bench backing up PF and C?

[Matthew]

Hmm, probably have Stro starting untill Horace Grant returns, then have Pat Burke and Grant starting, with Kemp and Stro off the bench.

[Andrew]

Even though he's now the Reignman in nickname and old basketball tapes only, I think I'd rather have Kemp starting over Garrity or Burke. When he gets decent minutes, he is still able to put up decent numbers.

C-Kemp
PF-Stro
SF-Hill
SG-T-Mac
PG-Armstrong

With Garrity and Grant to backup the forward spots, Vaughn and Sasser at the guards (though T-Mac would probably be playing close to 40 minutes per game), and Steve Hunter backing up centre. Then you've still got DeClercq, Humphrey, Burke and Oyedeji to play PF and C.

[Matthew]

I can't say I agree with the idea of starting kemp.... yet. Pat Burke has been playing well, especially in spreading the defense with some nice outside shooting and rebounding. Plus he has displayed some pretty good passing skills for a big man, so I would keep him in the starting lineup. Plus it gives Kemp an opportunity to work his way up, along the way regaining confidence and skills he once had. Also it gives the magic firepower off the bench, becuase kemp can go one on one in an isolation, but he wouldn't get that opportunity with Hill and T-mac on the floor. For the moment at least I'd keep Kemp coming in off the bench for a spark.

[Andrew]

If Kemp is going to come off the bench, then he still needs to play decent minutes. It's very easy to say he's not producing if he's not getting the court time.

[Matthew]

Definately he needs minutes. But if he was to start, all he would be in there to do would be rebound. And Horace Grant is a good rebounder, plus a better defender. So why not bring in Kemp from the bench where he would have the freedom to score? That will motivate him to work on his offensive game and possibly in the future a starting role.

[Andrew]

Given that the Magic look like they'll be contenders in the East, it probably would be wise to keep Kemp on the bench. I admit, Kemp is one of my "all-time" favourite players, so I'd like to see him make a comeback, and like I said it's unfair to label him unproductive when he doesn't get the minutes. This may be his last chance at playing for an NBA club, so I'm hoping it works out in Orlando. I don't think he's past his Use By date just yet.

[Clinton]

Magic will definately be making some noise this year. They have all the pieces they didn't have the last two years. A healthy Hill is a must, the need him if they want to go all the way. As good as TMac is, every great team has 2+ stars. Pat Burke has really impressed and looks like a more athletic version of Sabonis. He can hit the long shot, pass like a guard and has several post moves.
On the Kemp issue, I was and still at heart a Shawn Kemp fan. I loved the old days back in Seattle with the Glove. I really hate what happened to his career. The moment he left Seattle things started to go downhill. For starters he had to play for the Cavs. The weight gain and the drugs have only made me find new idols. A young Kobe caught my eye, but I always said if Kemp got it back together to a certain extent I would always be a fan. Whe he gave up all that money and signed for the Magic I couldn't believe it. Has he finally come to his senses and wants to get some of his career back. He has a great opportunity on this team to get some decent minutes and make an impact. I think he should be starting alongside Burke, and don't be suprised if you see that against the Lakers when Shaq is back and against other big frontcourts. I hope he keeps his head together and plays some good basketball.

[Matthew]

Well I don't think Orlando has all the pieces yet. One more quality inside player who can defend and rebound should be what they need so they can challange for the title. And with T-Mac and Hill playing the way they are, I think Mike Miller is expendable.

As for Shawn Kemp, I think it was the lockout that screwed up his career more than anything. He was an All star in his first season as a Cav, and guided them into the playoffs and they played very well against a tough Pacer team who came so close to knocking the Bulls off in the Eastern conference finals that year.

I was and still am a Kemp fan. I was since the 96 finals, and I still believe had he not gone through all these drug problems, he woul've easily surpassed Karl Malone as the greatest power forward of all time. But unfortunately he is just a shell of his former self, but from what I've seen this year, he is making a genuine effort to be a solid player, and that's all anyone can really ask for

[Jeffx]

Defense and rebounding are the key to going deep in the playoffs. I don't think either team is there yet.

[denis]

I like the magic's addition of Shawn Kemp, 7 points...7 boards in 15 minutes? nice.

Rivers said he's gonna work Kemp up to 25-30 minutes a game.




w00t, my first and last post on the new NLSC board.....later guys.

[bomba90]

IMO Dallas won't go all the way to the NBA finals for 2 reasons:
1. No game inside, Bradley and Lafrentz will not be able to match up with Shaq. Samaki or Webber, Keon and Vlade.
2. Who is the go-to-guy? is it Nowitzki, Nash, Finley? who? coz Nowitzki is a little bit of a sissy.

Orlando might go to the finals, do you guys see anyone in the east that can stop McGrady or Hill (though I dislike Hill coz he is mentally injured).
I agree with you all that said that they should trade Miller for someone, Stro sounds pretty good choise. IMO Kemp still has it (if he loses 20 pounds). Then they will might have a nice fron court as well. I would also check with the Cavs for Diop, the guy has an amazing body-frame, and with the right coach(es) he might become a great center.

[nBaMaN05]

I think that the Mavericks will win about 61 games, however I don't see them making the NBA Finals, but it all depends. The Kings I believe lost because Kobe Bryant had no one that can really guard him. Yes, Doug Christie is a good defender, but if you take a look on what happened for the past couple of years, Kobe has Doug's number. But if you really want to beat the Lakers you must worry about shutting down Kobe before you do Shaq. Here are a couple of reasons:
1) Shaq is just too dominant.
2) Shaq can be slowed(foot) but by the end of the game, you will be so outmuscled and tired that he'll just overpower you. (Scott Pollard and Divac)
3) All in all, Shaq is too dominant and too powerful.

The Mavericks have a good defender in Mike Finley. But the difference in Doug and Mike is that, I believe, Mike has more confidence and skills than Doug(we should all agree) therefore, Mike is going to be hype playing D on Kobe. Im not sayin' that Kobe can be shut down completely but, That shall leave the games up to Shaq and the rest of the Lakers.

Good luck, Mavericks

[madhooper]

The Mavs will beat alot of people during the season but they can't shoot that way all year.

They will get pushed out early and begin trading players in the off season understanding that u cant rely on jumpers in a seven game series against solid teams.


The Magic have a problem. His name is Grant Hill! He won't play a full season ever again (it's the Duke curse) but he will take up all of they're cap space making it impossible for this team to grow. T-Mac has to learn to play defence every night and stop trying to make ESPN's highlghts every night.

If the Lakers win it again (I hope they don't) Shaq will retire. As with most of the great big men, their body stops them from being effective not another players.

Can u imagine all the punishment his 300+ pounds puts on his knees and feet every night for the last 10+ years (college and pro).


The dangerous team in the East is Detroit. They will not win it all but they are so deep that they are going to spoil it and whats scary is they have 4 or five draft picks next year.

If the Clips get a good coach they are the most dangerous team in the West.


Just my opinion

[Stevan]

I dunno if anyone has mentioned this, but I've been thinking lately that the Magic seem to have the Chicago Bulls recipe for success...

*a high scoring shooting guard T-Mac - roughly 30ppg 5rpg 5apg
*a robyn to their batman in Hill - 20ppg 6rpg 5apg,
*a good scorer/shooter/6th man/off the bench in Mike Miller who's getting around 14/15 ppg...
*a good defensive guard who can knock down open j's in Armstrong 10/11ppg
...and although they lack that defensive/rebounding specialist, Kemp and Burke/Grant or whoever add up to create the worm. They just need another big guy. If it wasn't for Hill's injuries, this team probably would have won a championship by now, or atleast made the finals.

[ghettobplayer]

I dont see the Magic making it out of the first round for the following reasons .... T'Mac and Hill cant do it all alone ..

2)-They have crap big men ..Kemp stays out side now and his just a big flappy person that sweats more then shaq ...
Horace Grant is a shooter to ...Michael Doleac no offense but do you see any white big men dominateing the game ??? the last good one center ive seen is Longley .....and doleac from what i seen aint much force not putting him down ..its all love .

3)-Orlando is cursed and can't get out .

4)-Most teams have 2 or three really good defenders ...stick them on grant and t'mac ..and they will have to make the rest of the magic shootthe ball ....Remember Toronto Vs KNicks ...they took vince out of his game ...and people like alvin williams and Jerome Williams stepped up ...I dont see that happening in the Magic.

Orlando might be good in the east and might finish in the top three , but i resure you that they wont make big noice in the playoffs... i see them getting knocked out by the hornets again ...or best case Toronto Vs Orlando first round that would be a great ....

And last ....did y'all see them against Golden state ...they got their punk @ss knocked down ...T'Mac had 33 or 35 points ...and they still got killed by 40points ...against GOLDEN STATE ... (you all see that bounce alley oop pass to J.Rich? that was dat shit cant wait tell i can get that height )
peace